Meet José Gámez: Dean of the College of Arts + Architecture 

José Gámez, dean of the College of Arts + Architecture, is an experienced leader with a national reputation. His scholarship is grounded in architecture, and he has a deep commitment to the visual and performing arts and their role in the modern research university. His tenure as dean began July 1,, after serving as interim. Gámez joined UNC Charlotte in 2002.

Get to know Gámez through the questions below, asked by Julian Garcia, a senior communications major and intern in the Office of University Communications.

What attracted you to UNC Charlotte specifically?

I’ve been at UNC Charlotte since 2002, so I’ve been here for quite a while. One of the reasons I was excited about this opportunity, and still am, is that UNC Charlotte has been a vibrant, growing and innovative institution throughout my time here. The College of Arts + Architecture is only around 16 years old, so I’m particularly excited about the next phase and what the next 15 years will bring. I believe the college will play a significant role in the continued success of the overall institution. The growth is part of what’s attractive about both the University and the city as a whole, and it reflects the kind of student body we have, which is innovative, interested, eager and engaged. And all of that adds up to a really wonderful place to be a part of.

What three words do you believe best define your leadership style?

I am still in the process of growing in this aspect. I have a growth mindset, and I hope to demonstrate and model transparency, collegiality and collaboration. Throughout my journey, I have been involved in a lot of collaborative and community-engaged work. This means that I work well with teams, and I enjoy a model that incorporates research, teaching and engagement. However, this kind of work cannot progress without a lot of transparency and trust. Therefore, I aim to show that these are values and ways of working that will foster a culture of trustworthiness, transparency, collegiality and collaboration. Together, we can engage in endeavors that may be challenging to achieve individually. I hope people see trust, collaboration and transparency in my leadership style.

What’s the best piece of professional or personal advice you have received?

My answers may sound a little similar, but one thing I’ve struggled with is knowing how to say no to things. Many young professionals face the same challenge — we want to remain open to opportunities, but we need to set limits. I’ve learned that it’s important to find a balance. It’s crucial to be open to new opportunities and growth, but not every opportunity is the right one. Learning to recognize when to decline an opportunity and manage my time effectively has been valuable. As I advance in my career, I’m learning to assess opportunities and consider whether they align with my goals. It’s important to find a balance between embracing new experiences and knowing when to decline in order to prioritize my commitments.

You are headed to a deserted island. You can take a food, a drink, a book, a song and a movie. What are they and why?

If I’m on a deserted, hot island, I’m going to need a ton of water, and I’m going to have tacos, because there is never a time when a taco is not an appropriate meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. It’s always the right thing. I can’t think of a single song I couldn’t live without, but I can think of a three-album arc: “Rubber Soul,” “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper’s” by the Beatles. Every song on each of those albums is amazing, and there’s such an evolution in a short time for a group with such a huge impact. If I had to limit my musical choices due to isolation, I could survive with that collection. One of the first books I vividly remember from my youth was a short story collection by Flannery O’Connor. Despite some controversy surrounding her private life, her stories were empowering and specific to the Southern climate. I mostly read history, theory and practical books. I enjoy writings that feel like a conversation and take me away from my surroundings. Maybe David Sedaris’ work would fit that.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I haven’t gotten a chance to read very much lately. I’ve been off and on trying to learn guitar for a little while, and I made an electric guitar, not acoustic, because I don’t have that kind of craft expertise. So I love music. It has an ability to transcend communities in a way that few other things do.